Vandalism cuts power & streetlights

A senseless and dangerous act of vandalism cut power and inconvenienced a number of customers in Camooweal recently an Ergon Energy spokesperson said.

Customer Delivery Manager Mark Biffanti said vandals threw a piece of fence wire into powerlines on Saturday morning causing the lines to clash, burn and fall.

“It was a dangerous act of vandalism that could have seriously hurt someone. Not only did the vandals endanger their own lives they also inconvenienced 36 customers for more than four hours until our crews could restore power,” he said.

Crews found live powerlines on a nature strip and de-energised them quickly for public safety. Power was restored at 12.13pm after being interrupted at 8.19am. A bucket truck from Mt Isa was called in to reinstate the powerlines and energise them.

And it is not only powerlines that have been vandalised in the region Mr Biffanti said.

“Vandalism of streetlights in Mt Isa is also an ongoing issue. Our crews typically replace up to 15 vandalised streetlights a month.

“Public streetlights are important for individual and community safety. Vandalising them puts the whole community at risk, “he said.

He encouraged people to report vandalism to police by calling triple zero.